Farmers have been advised to ‘know  your number’ and ‘lower your number’ when it comes to nitrogen levels on farm.

That was the advice to farmers attending the Blackwater Catchment Implementation Group (CIG) event in recent days (June 18), which was held as part of the Teagasc Better Farming for Water campaign in conjunction with Dairygold.

Farmers attending the farm walk were brought through five information boards starting with the water quality challenge of reducing nutrient losses to waterways, particularly nitrogen in the Funshion river network.

William Blackburn and his Teagasc advisor Padraig McCormack spoke about the operation he is running in terms of nitrogen (N) use and what he is doing for water quality, such as minimum cultivation reseeding, having a high proportion of fields with optimal soil pH, maximising milk solids, and calculating a N balance figure for his farm.

Dairygold Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory (ASSAP) advisor, Philip Fogarty asked the host farmer, William Blackburn about the benefit of the one-to-one water quality visit he received.

William said: “Like anyone, I was hesitant at first, but once the visit was over, I could see all the things in the farmyard and on the land, that could lead to runoff or need to be managed.

Noeleen McDonald, assistant agricultural inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), explained to attendees at the farm walk the importance and need to be ready for the new regulations for slurry storage requirements and chemical N reductions by October 2028.

Bridget Lynch, research officer from the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme, emphasised the effectiveness of having more storage capacity than the minimum required to provide flexibility on application timing and rate and avoiding fertiliser applications at the riskiest times of the year for nutrient losses.

Small actions

Tony Byrd, executive scientist for Cork County Council, showed farmers that many of the non-compliance issues required relatively small actions that they could carry out to avoid issues related to local water quality impacts.

The National Agricultural Inspection Programme was finding several issues that could lead to run-off of material to drains and small waterways and having local impacts.

Byrd explained that improvements in soiled water storage and collection structures were the most effective ways at avoiding compliance risks and protecting waterways near farms.

The final Teagasc speakers, Eimear Connery ASSAP advisor and Brendan Smiddy, climate advisor, explained how a nitrogen balance figure is calculated for a farm and that the goal is to “know your number” and then “lower your number” to ensure nitrogen losses are minimised.

Chair of the Blackwater Implementation Group, Kevin Twomey said: “There was a lot of information there today, but it gave people a good insight into the challenge we have with managing nitrogen loss.”

Dale Crammond, director of Meat Industry Ireland and president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) said: “It was great to see such a significant turnout on the day, it’s clear that farmers are really engaged in the agenda to improve water quality, science-based solutions are there for them to embrace.”

Orlaith Tynan, Dairygold head of sustainability and environmental strategy commented: “The River Blackwater catchment event showcased the practical actions farmers are taking to protect water quality.

"Initiatives like this are not just about compliance, they are about building more efficient, resilient farms while safeguarding the River Blackwater catchment.”